Scotland’s search for the next marketing industry leaders helps retain talent in Scotland

The Marketing Society Scotland celebrates over two decades of unearthing the talent now leading the nation's biggest brands.

The Marketing Society Scotland is on the hunt for the country's brightest marketing minds. The 2026 Star Awards Development category has become a breeding ground for emerging Scottish marketing talent, helping establish a flourishing Scottish marketing industry and prevent a "brain drain" to cities like London.

Becoming a catalyst for successful marketing careers, the Star Awards have served as an accelerator for a generation of marketers. This year, The Marketing Society Scotland is inviting nominations from agency/client-side professionals in the first seven years of their careers.

Last year, the Rising Creative Star Award was won by Michael Evans of Guy and Co. Michael won for his work on a standout project partnering with German photomicrographer Peter Woitschikowski to capture the artistry that goes into crafting Tamdhu whisky, turning complex whisky tasting notes into a visual language to resonate with a new generation of drinkers.

The winner of the Rising Marketing Star Award, Sam Porter, content and social media manager at Heriot-Watt University, was recognised for his work to promote student-led content and integrate it with the university's digital footprint. This included 'Day in the Life', 360 campus tours and interactive videos, creating an incredible immersive experience for students considering a place at the university.

The Rising Agency Star was awarded to Lucie Swindale of LEWIS. Lucie was recognised for transforming the agency's technical capabilities and quadrupling department revenue in just three years. Having risen rapidly to Head of Technical Delivery, she was celebrated for spearheading complex digital infrastructure projects for global brands like Fettercairn and Jura, while simultaneously scaling major international accounts and mentoring a team of six developers to reach their full potential.

Chair of the Star Awards, Principal Global Brand Marketing Manager at Skyscanner, Victoria Best, said: "When we look back at past winners, we see the people who are now running Scotland's top agencies and global brands. These awards aren't just about celebrating a single good year; they are about identifying the DNA of a future leader. We want to find the individuals who are currently sitting in agencies or in house teams who will be our peers and lead the industry in 2035."

The Development categories are free to enter for both students and young professionals and offer a platform for agencies to demonstrate their commitment to staff development.

The countdown to the 2026 Star Awards is officially underway, with the deadline for all entries set for Thursday 12 February. This year's search for excellence spans the entire talent pipeline and The Marketing Society Scotland is seeking to recognise professionals across a variety of categories alongside nominations for Rising Agency Stars, Rising Creative Stars, and Rising Marketing Stars. This includes sector awards for areas like AI, Automation and Emerging Tech and B2B marketing as well as Small Budget, Big Impact and Design, Creativity and Craft among many others. Detailed entry criteria and the full submission portal are now live at the official Star Awards website

Image: Michael Evans - Rising Creative Star winner 2025